2.0 Refurb Project

[Woodsta888]

'tis been a couplo weeks, done bits but nothing major. NEarly finished the back end so I can start putting it back together. Actually there's loads more small stuff to clean and paint yet.

Cleaning up the trailing was too fiddly, the rear subframe is much easier, so I got the trailing arms shot blasted. They then have been painted with Rustbusters Epoxy Mastic Paint.

JUst been putting some Tiger Seal seam sealer on before finishing with Waxoyl undersealer. It does rather look like I've put it on with an axe but I was thorough.

Waiting for the rest of the parts to turn up and a full set of Strongflex bushes. It's been too hot during the day so last night I was in the garage until 2am I think.

All the other bits up underneath the boot and spare wheel area, in round the fuel tank have been treated and seam sealed too. Considering what I have seen on other examples the underneath of this car isn't bad for 156k. I've seen a lot worse on lower mileage cars.

 

[Bazza]

Great work, just had mine done the car has been transformed you won’t be disappointed

 

[Lee]

Cracking job Steve. Looking really good now. Your not kidding considering the mileage it’s very tidy.

 

[Woodsta888]

Set of suspension bushes turned up today. I am a bit concerned about how hard it will ride when it's done but it was like driving a jelly towards the end anyway. Plenty of grease turned up with each pack. Was ~£190 including delivery. Dunno what a set of rubber comes in at for the car? Do I have to tell insurance company about poly bushes?

No car work today - live only a few hundred metres from the sea and it's 28.5 degrees here in the shade.

 

[DrWong]

If it was me, I’d inform insurers personally, as I’m guessing they’d view it as a performance modification that deviates from factory spec.

It might not even affect the premium tbf, but prudent to inform them IMO

Erm, nice bush btw..

 

[Woodsta888]

Bank holiday update.

I've been a bit quiet recently but I have been doing stuff. Finally finished all the rust removal, kept finding areas and bits that required attention whilst I had access. It does get to a point where I thought that'll do, but just couldn't leave it in the end. More function rather than form as it's a bit messy and not as neat as some folk whom have painted over with the same underneath colour as original.

Have to say, the Tigel Seal seam sealer is awesome stuff. Real confidence that it is sealed. Sealed all the ends up where the corrugated look of the seams are - rightly or wrongly. Done now. Photos with flash doesn't show the area properly or easily recognizable. 1st pic is the seam behind the fuel tank. 2nd pic the same and back a bit and just seet the front bracket for the spare wheel rack.

Started reassembly now and what better new bits to start with than a set of Mazza's tank straps (Cheers @Mazza) . Mine looked bad but are actually salvageable so will tidy those up at some point for spares. Mazza's tank straps are very well made. As I had my whole rear beam off I didn't have to put the 2 piece in separately.

What else, Oh yeah, Inner wings. Rust bubbles and spots on the inside and outside. Removed the old seam sealer and dremeled as much rust out as I could. Treated with Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80.

Seam sealered, ready for zinc etch primer, then off for the paint shop at some point. Stored under the house for now. I've done the rear wings too.

Installed the rear beam bushes. Came with a lot of grease so dunno if I should have, but due to the 'squeak' that can develop from poly's I've greased everything. The insert into the bushes and the bushes into the beam and plenty of it. A sachet for each of the beam bushes so I used it...ALL. Well, ended up wearing a fair bit of it. Also have Waxoyl in my hair and scalp! Prolly ruin some more bath towels later like last time..Ooops!

SO rear end now ready for reassembly. Got the wheel bearings in the freezer for tomorrow and a bearing 'pusher' set selecting the correct size to push on the outer race of the bearing. Guru Lee recommends Meyle stamp facing outwards.

JUst to check - Do I install the bearing into the trailing arm first, not the hub first then into the trailing arm? Thanks in advance.

Enjoy your bank hol weekend - I'm off down the local now as better half is getting Fit shaced with her friends.

 

[DrWong]

I used Tiger Seal for my sills and it's good but expensive at around/more than a tenner. I switched to Puraflex40 when I did my front wheel arches and chassis rails. It's the same kind of polyurethane sealant as Tiger Seal but only a fiver from Toolstation. It's a popular alternative with the classic car and restoration crowd.

 

[Woodsta888]

Pressed the bearings in and the hubs

 

[Lee]

Cracking job that. You nailed it.

 

[Woodsta888]

Brake calipers done this week. Pistons internally were fine compared to the exposed ends, got a replacement rubbers and gasket set for each. Ground off the rust and sprayed with caliper paint, reassembled with brembo pads and hoses. Never done calipers before - quite easy. Getting the pistons out with a compressor made a bit of a pop!

 

[Martin Sullivan]

@Woodsta888 This is a great write up, I’ll be doing the same work this winter.

Have you or will you be using any cavity wax in the sills? I’ve bought Corrolan and a schutz spray gun.
I’ve got the penetrating cavity wax which goes in first followed by the active stuff a day or two later.
I’ve also been recommended Dinitrol

 

[Woodsta888]

Hi,

Yeah I just used the waxoyl spray can for the cavities. Never heard of a penetrating one. I'll google that.

 

[Woodsta888]

Hi all!

I have been doing stuff albeit small bits.

HAd the task of getting the rear beam in ,with exhasut in place and N/S trailing arm assembled after.

So with some wgglin' 'n jigglin' - ee be there! Dang, no pics of it in.

 

[Althulas]

Nice job a bit different with the silver, coming along nicely. How did you find the fit of the metal bushing on the rear beam pins? I felt they were quite a clearance fit on mine when checking and have taken photos of the measurements of my pins and the internal diameter which there engineers are going to look at.

 

[Woodsta888]

Nice job a bit different with the silver, coming along nicely. How did you find the fit of the metal bushing on the rear beam pins? I felt they were quite a clearance fit on mine when checking and have taken photos of the measurements of my pins and the internal diameter which there engineers are going to look at.

Hmmmm, to tell you the truth I never offered up the metal inserts from the rear beam bush prior to fitting, and didn't really notice when I slid the beam into position either- not that I would have thought to do so either. I've assumed they were correct. You use strongflex bushes too? Let me know what their engineers say if you went with strongflex.

I didn't have any problems sliding the beam up and if the tolerances are loose then that's maybe why it went in easily.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

How are you getting on with the project ? not seen any info for some time. Geoff

 

[Woodsta888]

Not done much over the past year as wedding was delayed, COVID etc changing work priorities. Just backl off honeymoon yesterday and will be carrying on with the Z3 work over the winter with the aim of next summer. I did self refurb a set of 18 inch wheels I got from Lee.

My diff is dripping fluidslightly on one side so need to take it off again and take the whole thing apart and refurb. Only a couple of drops of fluid but may aswell take it out again whilst it's all still up on blocks.

Just hope I remember where all the bits went!

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Congrats. on your wedding, I had thought that you were already

 

[Woodsta888]

Right, back underneath this thing -

I thought my diff was leaking but there is no oil from the diff that could've transferred to where this is dripping from. DOes the inside of the prop shaft (diff end) hold any fluid? What's inside the diff end of the prop shaft?

Oh and anyone got any of these lying around? I only want one. When I was grinding them clean with a wire wheel one flew across the garage. I've spent ages looking moving an inordinate amount of stuff. Can I find the damn thing? Nope. @spursfaninacoupe - you got one you can stick in the post when convenient? They go under the propshaft to diff bolts.